Military dismisses naval rating ‘detained for six years’ for misconduct

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced the dismissal of Abbas Haruna, a naval rating, from the Nigerian Navy after he was found guilty of multiple offences by a Military General Court-Martial.

While featuring on Brekete Family, a programme on Human Rights Radio, in September, Abbas’ wife said her husband had “been in custody for over six years without trial on the orders of a senior officer”.

Yusuf Gagdi, chair of the house of representatives, committee on navy, described Haruna’s alleged detention as “heartless”.

Gagdi said the committee will probe the incident and ensure the culprits face the full wrath of the law.

The military refuted the claim by Abbas’ wife and ordered a probe into the allegation.

Addressing a media briefing at the DHQ on Wednesday, Tukur Gusau, director of defence information, said Abbas was dismissed for violating sections of the Armed Forces Act.

Gusau said Haruna, with service number N-5759, faced three charges bordering on disobedience to particular orders, resistance to arrest, and offences relating to public service property.

Gusau explained that the charges stemmed from an incident where Haruna disrupted a parade during a briefing by his commanding officer.

“While addressing troops of Exercise Iyam Akpatuma, the commanding officer directed Abbas Haruna to the guardroom for misbehaviour,” Gusau said.

“Importantly, a perusal of the report of the prosecution confirmed that the ex-rating disobeyed the order of his commanding officer, resisted arrest by firing his rifle to the extent that he expended 16 rounds of ammunition which could have resulted in the death of any of his colleagues around there.

“The action of the ex-rating was in no doubt an act of gross indiscipline capable of taking the lives of his colleagues. It is therefore evident that the ex-rating cannot be trusted with a rifle or any weapon belonging to the armed forces of Nigeria.

“This is because soldiers, ratings, and aircraft men are trained for the purpose of weapon handling to apply same judiciously and diligently when called upon for the protection of the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not extraneous uses which could endanger others.

“Pertinently, it is obvious that the ex-rating ought to have also been charged for attempted murder of everyone that was in the vicinity when he fired the shots.

“The ex-seaman was found guilty of these offences during a trial that lasted from 20th December 2022 to 7th February 2023.

“As a result, he was sentenced to a reduction in rank from seaman to ordinary seaman for the first charge and dismissal with ignominy for the second and third charges.”

He emphasised that the actions of the ex-rating posed a significant threat to his fellow soldiers and demonstrated gross indiscipline.

“Haruna’s misuse of his weapon and refusal to obey orders jeopardised the lives of his colleagues, which is unacceptable behaviour in the armed forces,” Gusau said.

“Despite initially pleading not guilty, the ex-seaman later changed his plea to guilty. This led to a swift conclusion of the trial.”

Chukwu Augustine, the ex-seaman’s defense counsel, sought leniency for his client, but the court found him guilty on all charges.

“The general court-martial ruled that the evidence presented was sufficient to prove Haruna’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt,” Gusau said.